Arteta Backs Arsenal to Script Paris Comeback and Reach Champions League Final

Ousmane Dembélé’s opener—timed at 3 minutes 15 seconds and completed after a 26-pass PSG move—stunned the Emirates, yet Mikel Arteta’s belief never wavered. Though Paris Saint-Germain dominated the early exchanges, Arsenal finished with the better shot quality, posting 1.65 expected goals to the visitors’ 1.14 while Gianluigi Donnarumma denied clear one-on-ones from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

The second leg pits Arsenal’s stingy defence—just eight goals conceded and six clean sheets in European play—against a PSG attack averaging more than two goals per match (31 in total). Recent form offers encouragement: the Gunners dismantled Real Madrid 3-0 in the quarter-finals and beat PSG 2-0 in the group stage, whereas Luis Enrique’s side saw a 30-match domestic unbeaten run snapped days ago.

“If you want to lift the trophy you have to produce something special,” Arteta said. “We believe we can do that in Paris.” With razor-thin margins—11-10 in shots and the woodwork denying Gonçalo Ramos a late second—the tie is set for a dramatic conclusion next Wednesday at Parc des Princes. 

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